| | From July 3 to 7, 2006, sixty-eight excited 4-H delegates arrived at the Alberta 4-H Centre, bursting with anticipation and enthusiasm for what the next five days would hold.
Delegates were trained in activity planning and group organizing, and learned about facilitating, orchestrating, recovering and adapting - basically the skill set necessary for up-and-coming leaders. Many of the Leadership Through Counselling Seminar (LTCS) delegates will be counsellors for summer camps held throughout the province this year.
"The campfires and group games were a blast," says Kayla Tollefson's, a delegate from Camrose. "This program has totally taught me how to be a more effective counsellor so that when I work at camp, I can be confident in what I am doing."
Between skill sessions that ranged from dance to archery, and the small group planning sessions, delegates came 'ready to launch'. Cyrena Quinn, a member of this year's 4-H summer staff was thrilled with the group of delegates who attended the program. "They were such an enthusiastic bunch-they were willing to participate in every activity and back one another up 100 per cent. No matter what the summer staff threw at them or challenged them with, they took it in stride and adapted to it. They were an amazing group."
This year's LTCS theme was A 4-Hers Guide to the Galaxy, and every activity, while being fun, also imparted lessons regarding the importance of camper safety and the necessity of listening to campers' concerns and needs. Each delegate left the program equipped with a newly acquired 'guide' to help them cope with situations encountered both in life and at future 4-H programs, activities and camps.
The week was a success. Delegates showed obvious zeal for the leadership positions they will soon acquire, and strengthened the camaraderie that already existed among LTCS attendees. The generous sponsorship from Agrium, Alberta Agriculture, AltaLink, Peavey Mart and the Wetaskiwin Co-operative Association Limited was greatly appreciated.
For more information on 4-H summer programs and camps, contact 4-H specialist Mark Shand at (403) 948-8508, Airdrie, or visit the 4-H website.
Contact: Mark Shand (403) 948-8508 |
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